Montreal dockworkers hold 1-day strike to put pressure on employer

Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal launched a one-day strike early Sunday to escalate pressure on their employer during ongoing contract negotiations.

The union, which represents nearly 1,200 longshore workers at Canada’s second-largest port, announced the complete work stoppage on Thursday. The strike began at 7 a.m. Sunday and is scheduled to end Monday morning.

This latest action follows other disruptions, including a ban on overtime shifts and a three-day strike earlier this month at two container terminals.

The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) confirmed that the stoppage affects both the Montreal port and the Contrecoeur terminal. However, operations related to grain shipments and Newfoundland and Labrador's supply chain will continue, in compliance with a July ruling by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.

In a statement issued Saturday, the MEA expressed hope that upcoming talks with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service would help resume negotiations. “We hope to return to the table and reach a negotiated collective agreement quickly,” the company said.

Despite 35 mediation sessions over the past 15 months, the two sides remain deadlocked.

A union spokesperson said workers held a special general assembly Sunday morning but declined to share details of the meeting agenda or provide interviews.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) criticized the union’s actions, warning they are disrupting small and medium-sized businesses ahead of the critical holiday season.

“It’s time the federal government declared ports an essential service to ensure they operate without interruption,” wrote Jasmin Guenette, CFIB’s national affairs vice-president.

The dockworkers have been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2023.